This 2011-2012 school year my venue for weekly letters will be in the format of a blog for staff. My hopes for this weekly blog are to increase accessibility for staff, encourage interaction, explore capability and professionally develop my own technological skills. Please join me in the weeks of this year as I touch on regular segments to briefly discuss our instructional practice, school operations, data sharing, policy formation, professional development and show appreciation for all you do for our students and families in alternative programs.
Bravo Zulu! When I was in the Navy (many years ago) signal flags between ships used to indicate a “Job Well Done!” would fly. In our log books, naval shorthand simply read “BZ” to signify excellent work. Over the radio we would use code letters B and Z (Bravo Zulu) to convey praise and appreciation by voice communications. In this part of my weekly letter I will use similar terms to call out outstanding work by your colleagues.First BZ goes to Dolly Knuth for her coordination of the CHOICE PSO Meeting & Spaghetti feed. It was one of the best parent-school events I have ever seen. More than a hundred parents and students crowded the Manhattan Gym in a tremendous show of support for our school.
Next BZ to Andrea Love, Beverly Mowrer and the happy staff at New Start who stayed (late), played and cooked for our students in Pre-Fair events leading to a strong showing of our students at the Life After High School Fair! BRAVO ZULU to all who had a part!
Also a mini BZ to all CHOICE staff for hosting a delightful Superintendent's visit as a part of Dr. Alan Spicciati's 50 sites in 50 days tour. Staff was graciously gifted a much needed hand School Bell for ringing in the halls at passing. Read about it on the Supt.'s Blog http://highlineschoolssuperintendent.blogspot.com/
Instructionally Speaking...
As the year is now well underway, I want to briefly remind you of our agreed upon equitable practices we will focus on this year. Both sites have agreed we will focus on learning how to effectively communicate Teaching Point & Purpose (and I might add Reinforce Teaching Point & Purpose). At New Start, staff expressed a desire to learn more about Talk Structures, and CHOICE is interested in how we can more authentically check on our students weekly.
My initial walk-throughs have had a focus on your curriculum launch for the year, and how you are building relationships with your students. As the year progresses I will soon be looking for signs of our chosen equitable practices as we learn more. We will discuss this individually at pre-evaluation meetings this month.
Pre-Evaluation Meetings
We have begun. I am excited to have already heard some wonderful and thoughtful goals come out of our talks. If we haven't met yet, we will soon. Begin your pre-thinking on last year's reflections, and professional goals we will work toward together...and about your first observation date.
The Week Ahead…
At CHOICE, ASB Leadership is leading a Spirit Week. On Tuesday, New Start students will sail, once again, on the Adventuress for our first voyage of the year!
PSATs take center stage on Wednesday for our students. This is the initial approach as our students begin to really think about college and their post-secondary options. PSATs not only expose our students to an authentic collegiate testing experience, it connects them with a greater network of colleges and recruiters, helping get their name into the national college pipeline. Counselor Andrea Love is coordinating, and can fill you in on logistical details at each site.
Friday is the always mysterious State In-Service Day. The 14th is a statewide student release so that staff can engage in professional development across district and county lines. Teaching staff is paid for this professional day, but it is independently directed by teachers. School and district offices are open. Please let me know how you will be spending your State-In Service Day, October 14th. I'm taking office staff out to lunch!
Pre-Evaluation meetings with each of you dominate my calendar this week. As a reminder, my general site hours are Monday and Tuesday mornings at New Start, afternoons at CHOICE. Wednesday is all day New Start, Thursday is all day CHOICE. Odd dated Fridays at New Start, Even dated Fridays at CHOICE. Here’s my plan for this week:
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
New Start/CHOICE | New Start/CHOICE | New Start | CHOICE | CHOICE |
Oct 10 | Oct 11 | Oct 12 | Oct 13 | Oct 14 |
Morning Office PBIS Meeting District Visitor to New Start, Kim Thomas Sped Sub Screening (ERAC) M/Ms. Love | Planning Time Pre-Eval Meetings Advisory Check Becca Update CHOICE Pre-Eval Meetings | PSAT Pre-Eval Meetings M/SPU Advisor Principal Planning Meeting (ERAC) | M/Carla Jackson Pre-Eval Meetings In Classrooms | State In Service Project Time Office Staff Lunch Out |
Have a great week everyone!
Hmmm, that comment didn't work. I'll repeat:
ReplyDeleteA big BZ will go out next week to first "Follower" and first "Comment" giver (If it works). I understand it's hard to be first sometimes. ;)
Thank you, Mike, for listening to our feedback from last year's survey. I appreciate the positive feedback. It is so nice to have my boss recognize the efforts that I put into my job. Even though my motivations are not just for praise, it is such a positive reinforcement and a great moral booster.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part is your weekly schedule. It is much easier to read and at a glance I can know where you are going to be on any given day of the week. Thanks, Dolly
Hey Mike, can I link this to the school website? Also, a technical note: as an avid blog reader, I find it much easier to follow blogs if I can easily add them to my reader. Will you please add a gadget for that? Once in your Blogger dashboard, go to "Design", then click "Add a Gadget", scroll down to "Subscription Links" and add.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise the blog looks great!
Another tech note: your Sharepoint link is for inside the district network. Try https://staffnet.hsd401.org/schools/altpgm
ReplyDelete